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Nourkami-Tutdibi N, Küllmer J, Dietrich S, Monz D, Zemlin M, Tutdibi E. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor is a potential biomarker for acute mountain sickness. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1083808. [PMID: 37064896 PMCID: PMC10098311 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1083808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common disease caused by hypobaric hypoxia (HH) in high-altitude (HA) associated with high mortality when progressing to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and/or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). There is evidence for a role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in development of AMS, but biological pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying AMS remain elusive. We aimed to measure changes in blood cytokine levels and their possible association with the development of AMS.Method: 15 healthy mountaineers were included into this prospective clinical trial. All participants underwent baseline normoxic testing with venous EDTA blood sampling at the Bangor University in United Kingdom (69 m). The participants started from Beni at an altitude of 869 m and trekked same routes in four groups the Dhaulagiri circuit in the Nepali Himalaya. Trekking a 14-day route, the mountaineers reached the final HA of 5,050 m at the Hidden Valley Base Camp (HVBC). Venous EDTA blood sampling was performed after active ascent to HA the following morning after arrival at 5,050 m (HVBC). A panel of 21 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were assessed using Luminex system (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-1ra, sIL-2Rα, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IP-10, G-CSF, GM-CSF, EGF, FGF-2, VEGF, and TGF-β1).Results: There was a significant main effect for the gradual ascent from sea-level (SL) to HA on nearly all cytokines. Serum levels for TNF-α, sIL-2Rα, G-CSF, VEGF, EGF, TGF-β1, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1β, and IP-10 were significantly increased at HA compared to SL, whereas levels for IFN-γ and MIP-1α were significantly decreased. Serum VEGF was higher in AMS susceptible versus AMS resistant subjects (p < 0.027, main effect of AMS) and increased after ascent to HA in both AMS groups (p < 0.011, main effect of HA). Serum VEGF increased more from SL values in the AMS susceptible group than in the AMS resistant group (p < 0.049, interaction effect).Conclusion: Cytokine concentrations are significantly altered in HA. Within short interval after ascent, cytokine concentrations in HH normalize to values at SL. VEGF is significantly increased in mountaineers suffering from AMS, indicating its potential role as a biomarker for AMS.
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Zhang JH, Shen Y, Liu C, Yang J, Yang YQ, Zhang C, Bian SZ, Yu J, Gao XB, Zhang LP, Ke JB, Yuan FZY, Pan WX, Guo ZN, Huang L. EPAS1 and VEGFA gene variants are related to the symptoms of acute mountain sickness in Chinese Han population: a cross-sectional study. Mil Med Res 2020; 7:35. [PMID: 32718338 PMCID: PMC7385974 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-020-00264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More people ascend to high altitude (HA) for various activities, and some individuals are susceptible to HA illness after rapidly ascending from plains. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a general complaint that affects activities of daily living at HA. Although genomic association analyses suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are involved in the genesis of AMS, no major gene variants associated with AMS-related symptoms have been identified. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 604 young, healthy Chinese Han men were recruited in June and July of 2012 in Chengdu, and rapidly taken to above 3700 m by plane. Basic demographic parameters were collected at sea level, and heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and AMS-related symptoms were determined within 18-24 h after arriving in Lhasa. AMS patients were identified according to the latest Lake Louise scoring system (LLSS). Potential associations between variant genotypes and AMS/AMS-related symptoms were identified by logistic regression after adjusting for potential confounders (age, body mass index and smoking status). RESULTS In total, 320 subjects (53.0%) were diagnosed with AMS, with no cases of high-altitude pulmonary edema or high-altitude cerebral edema. SpO2 was significantly lower in the AMS group than that in the non-AMS group (P = 0.003). Four SNPs in hypoxia-inducible factor-related genes were found to be associated with AMS before multiple hypothesis testing correction. The rs6756667 (EPAS1) was associated with mild gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.013), while rs3025039 (VEGFA) was related to mild headache (P = 0.0007). The combination of rs6756667 GG and rs3025039 CT/TT further increased the risk of developing AMS (OR = 2.70, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Under the latest LLSS, we find that EPAS1 and VEGFA gene variants are related to AMS susceptibility through different AMS-related symptoms in the Chinese Han population; this tool might be useful for screening susceptible populations and predicting clinical symptoms leading to AMS before an individual reaches HA. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registration, ChiCTR-RCS-12002232 . Registered 31 May 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hang Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yuan-Qi Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Shi-Zhu Bian
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xu-Bin Gao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Lai-Ping Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jing-Bin Ke
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Fang-Zheng-Yuan Yuan
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Wen-Xu Pan
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Zhi-Nian Guo
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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Boos CJ, Bass M, O’Hara JP, Vincent E, Mellor A, Sevier L, Abdul-Razakq H, Cooke M, Barlow M, Woods DR. The relationship between anxiety and acute mountain sickness. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197147. [PMID: 29927953 PMCID: PMC6013200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Whilst the link between physical factors and risk of high altitude (HA)-related illness and acute mountain sickness (AMS) have been extensively explored, the influence of psychological factors has been less well examined. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between ‘anxiety and AMS risk during a progressive ascent to very HA. Methods Eighty health adults were assessed at baseline (848m) and over 9 consecutive altitudes during a progressive trek to 5140m. HA-related symptoms (Lake Louise [LLS] and AMS-C Scores) and state anxiety (State-Trait-Anxiety-Score [STAI Y-1]) were examined at each altitude with trait anxiety (STAI Y-2) at baseline. Results The average age was 32.1 ± 8.3 years (67.5% men). STAI Y-1 scores fell from 848m to 3619m, before increasing to above baseline scores (848m) at ≥4072m (p = 0.01). STAI Y-1 scores correlated with LLS (r = 0.31; 0.24–0.3; P<0.0001) and AMS-C Scores (r = 0.29; 0.22–0.35; P<0.0001). There was significant main effect for sex (higher STAI Y-1 scores in women) and altitude with no sex-x-altitude interaction on STAI Y-1 Scores. Independent predictors of significant state anxiety included female sex, lower age, higher heart rate and increasing LLS and AMS-C scores (p<0.0001). A total of 38/80 subjects (47.5%) developed AMS which was mild in 20 (25%) and severe in 18 (22.5%). Baseline STAI Y-2 scores were an independent predictor of future severe AMS (B = 1.13; 1.009–1.28; p = 0.04; r2 = 0.23) and STAI Y-1 scores at HA independently predicted AMS and its severity. Conclusion Trait anxiety at low altitude was an independent predictor of future severe AMS development at HA. State anxiety at HA was independently associated with AMS and its severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Boos
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
- Department of Postgraduate Medical Education, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Malcolm Bass
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - John P. O’Hara
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Vincent
- Defence Medical Services, Lichfield, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Mellor
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- Defence Medical Services, Lichfield, United Kingdom
- James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Sevier
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Humayra Abdul-Razakq
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Cooke
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Barlow
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - David R. Woods
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- Northumbria and Newcastle NHS Trusts, Wansbeck General and Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, United Kingdom
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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MacInnis MJ, Koehle MS. Evidence for and Against Genetic Predispositions to Acute and Chronic Altitude Illnesses. High Alt Med Biol 2016; 17:281-293. [PMID: 27500591 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2016.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
MacInnis, Martin J., and Michael S. Koehle. Evidence for and against genetic predispositions to acute and chronic altitude illnesses. High Alt Med Biol. 17:281-293, 2016.-Humans exhibit marked variation in their responses to hypoxia, with susceptibility to acute and chronic altitude illnesses being a prominent and medically important example. Many have hypothesized that genetic differences are the cause of these variable responses to hypoxia; however, until recently, these hypotheses were based primarily on small (and sometimes anecdotal) reports pertaining to apparent differences in altitude illness susceptibility between populations, the notion that a history of altitude illness is indicative of subsequent risk, the heritability of hypoxia-related traits, and candidate gene association studies. In the past 5 years, the use of genomic techniques has helped bolster the claim that susceptibility to some altitude illnesses is likely the result of genetic variation. For each of the major altitude illnesses, we summarize and evaluate the evidence stemming from three important characteristics of a genetic trait: (1) individual susceptibility and repeatability across assessments, (2) biogeographical differences and familial aggregation, and (3) association(s) with genetic variants. Evidence to support a genetic basis for susceptibilities to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is limited, owing partially to the subjective and unclear phenotype of AMS and the rarity and severity of HACE. In contrast, recent genomic studies have identified genes that influence susceptibility to high-altitude pulmonary edema, chronic mountain sickness, and high-altitude pulmonary hypertension. The collection of more individual, familial, and biogeographical susceptibility data should improve our understanding of the extent to which genetic variation contributes to altitude illness susceptibility, and genomic and molecular investigations have the potential to elucidate the mechanisms that underpin altitude illness susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S Koehle
- 2 School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, Canada .,3 Allan McGavin Sport Medicine Clinic, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, Canada
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